Local & Regional

12:26 pm

Thu February 7, 2013

Flu Cases Slowing Despite New Deaths in Tulsa

Two new deaths due to the flu last week in Tulsa County bring the total for our area up to six. There have been 23 statewide so far this year.

Across the state, the number of new hospitalizations was lower last week than in previous weeks, with just 42 new hospitalizations or deaths reported.

“It’s not to say that we’re not still seeing a lot of flu activity across the state, and certainly in Tulsa County,” said the Tulsa Health Department’s Kaitlin Snyder. “But we’re not seeing it spiking as much as we had when the flu season really started to kick off.”

She says that’s to be expected at this point in the season, when the number of cases begins to drop off.

Still, she says that’s not a reason not to continue taking precautions.

“Remain vigilant about flu prevention,” Snyder said. “It’s certainly not too late to get your flu vaccine if you haven’t gotten it, and just take the general precautions against the flu.”

Those include washing hands with soap and hot water and staying home from work or school if you do get sick.